A Practical Illustration of "Woman's Right to Labor" eBook

Tears welled up into the eyes of the invalid as he
listened to the words of this true, earnest lover.

“God bless you for a noble, royal hearted man!”
he exclaimed, reaching forward and clasping the young
baronet’s hand. “Yes, I can say God
bless you now—­for you have taught me to
believe there is an Infinite Father and I can reverently
invoke His benediction upon you. Of course I will
give you Virgie and feel that she is richly blessed
in having won such a husband and thus I can die with
not a care upon my heart.”

“You have given me the richest boon that it
is in my power to crave,” returned Sir William,
his face kindling with happiness. “But you
need not speak of dying. A sea voyage would prolong
your life. Come with me at once to England and
to Heathdale where you shall have every comfort and
attention, and the change will do you good.”

A sad smile flitted over Mr. Abbot’s wan features.

“It is too late,” he said, sorrowfully.
“I shall not live through another month; but
my mind is at ease and it will be a restful season—­the
little time that I am spared. No, I shall never
leave this place, but I have a request to make of
you.”

“Tell me, and it shall be granted if it is in
the power of man,” returned Sir William, eagerly.

“I should like, if you can win Virgie’s
consent, to see her your wife before I die. It
will be better for you both; then, after I am gone,
you can take her away as soon as you choose, and perhaps
among new scenes and with new ties she will not grieve
so bitterly for me.”

Sir William Heath’s heart leaped with joy at
this proposition, though there was an expression of
sadness on his handsome face as he looked upon the
wreck before him, and realized how truly he had spoken.
He knew that he had very little time to live.

“If I can win her, nothing would make me happier
than to accede to your wish,” he said, in a
low, earnest tone.

At this time, a light step was heard in the hall,
and the next moment the door was opened, while a sweet
young voice called:

“Come, papa and Mr. Heath—­tea is
ready; the peaches are delicious, and Chi Lu has obtained,
from some mysterious source, real cream to eat with
them.”

Chapter VII.

“Will You Be My Wife?”

In spite of the exciting conversation of the last
half-hour Mr. Abbot appeared more than usually cheerful
during tea. He was indeed more like the brilliant,
entertaining host that he used to be in their former
beautiful home in San Francisco, than Virgie had seen
him since their troubles had come upon them.

At the same, time the young girl wondered what could
have occurred to make their guest so silent and preoccupied.
It was evidently an effort for him to converse at
all, while two or three times he was addressed more
than once before he responded, but his glance whenever
it met hers thrilled her strangely, and kept a beautiful
flush upon her cheeks throughout the meal.